NINE MONTHS IN THE ARCTIC. 91 



true reconciliation, imparts hope in adversity, and 

 awakens unearthly joy in seasons of sorrow and 

 disappointment. 



The next day after our arrival at our new hab- 

 itations, the whole company rested, and got 

 somewhat recruited as to our bodies, and, not 

 the least in our circumstances of anticipated 

 captivity for months, our minds became partially 

 settled that we must make the best of a common 

 disaster and a common destiny. 



The day following, preparations were made 

 by ourselves, in connection with the natives and 

 their dog teams, to visit the wreck. One of the 

 first questions asked, and the principal one in 

 which the natives were more interested than in 

 any other, was, whether there was any rum at 

 the wreck. A keg of spirits had been washed 

 ashore, as before stated, and a part of it had 

 been used, and the remainder was in the keg in 

 the tent, stowed away with other articles from 

 the wreck. 



A difficulty was now apprehended. If the 

 natives should find the keg of rum, and become 

 intoxicated, as they probably would, serious and 

 perhaps fatal consequences might take place. 

 To avoid any fears of this sort, and remove all 

 grounds of contention, the captain sent two of 

 his men ahead, with orders to knock in the head 



